After the Fast, What Next?

AFTER THE FAST, WHAT NEXT?

“Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written…”

Matthew 4:1–4 (ESV)

Naturally, after every fast you will be hungry and want to enjoy some of the good meals you missed. But please take it easy for health reasons. The bible says Jesus was hungry, therefore note that it is normal for us to feel very hungry. But, what kind of hunger was the bible referring to? It wasn’t clear, but we know the devil tempted Jesus with three things beginning with bread (food). Followed by spiritual pride and desire for power. Therefore, what do I do after a fast in order to resist the devil?

 

Jesus, response to the devil in all three circumstances was “It is written…”. Are you still feeding on the word of God after the fast? If you are not, I beseech you to keep your focus in the word because God continues to speak to us through his written word (scriptures). He will reveal even much more things to you and you will become wiser in your choices. This is because many doors and opportunities will open, but it is not all opportunities or doors that you have to take. Remaining in His word will help you make the right choice and refuse the wrongful ones. Jesus resisted the devil only with the word of God.

You will be spiritually empowered after the fast. How then do you use this power and gifts God will endow you with to His glory? The gifts that God gives us are meant to serve and bless your neighbors and the church. If you don’t take care, pride might set in and you will begin to drift away from what God requires of you. Cloth yourself then with humility, like Jesus, as Paul described him in Philippians 2:5-6 “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, existing in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in human likeness.” Jesus forgave sins, so forgive others and let go off all offenses. Jesus blessed people that came to him, so bless those who reach out to you especially your relatives (Isaiah 58: 7). I will encourage you to read again Isaiah 58 and know what God requires of us during and after our fast.

The desire for power. The devil showed Jesus all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor to entice him. But Jesus again said, “It is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only’”. Service to mankind is services to God, and service to God is worship. Never lose focus of serving others at the workplace, community or neighborhood and the church environment. Serving people is a difficult task, but if you humble yourself, overlook all the negatives that comes with it, God will bless you abundantly. I have heard and seen people allow pride and the desire for power to drift them away from serving in God’s house. What didn’t the Pharisees and Sadducees do or say to Jesus? Did he abandon the job the father had given him? By now you should know that there are people who will not do the job and neither will they allow you also to do it? But the job needs to be done, so what do you do? “Obey God and leave all the consequences to him” says Dr. Charles Stanley.

Brethren, within this week, we will discuss other things expected of us after every fast.

Shalom and Peace to you.